Does and Hunting does part 2

[Hillbilly]

If you read my first post about does and hunting does then you might answer this quickly.

How many years ior seasons will it take to get my doe/buck ratio even, or better.

Thanks

Casey

[Rhino]

Re: Does and Hunting does part 2

That's hard to say. It depends on a number of things including how out of wack your ratio is, the terrain, and how many hunters you have helping you take out the does.

For us it took about 5 years. We have 23 members (along with their guest) hunting about 3,000 acres. We started with about an 8 to 1 ratio and have it down close to (actually a little below) 2 to 1 now. We really hammered the does hard for the 1st 4 years. The 5th year we tried to hammer them but there just wasn't as many as in prior years. That was about 5 years ago now. Since then we have continued to take more does than bucks to maintain the ratio we have now. Natural mortality is higher on bucks than does.

[Guest lilcrackshot]

Re: Does and Hunting does part 2

could take anywhere from 2 -10 years. It just depends. Like Rhino said the number of hunters can play a role here. The more hunters the quicker because you are harvesting more does.

[double_drop]

Re: Does and Hunting does part 2

Here in Iowa it really doesn't help for some reason. It seems when you remove them more just show up. Last year our group of shotgun hunters took 21 does out of 23(the other two were bucks 160 plus) out of a two mile sqaure section. This past week we went out there and counted 65 does in a half mile. They just seem to find there way to another place around here and fill the area back up.

[wtnhunt]

Re: Does and Hunting does part 2

Have to agree with what rhino says here. It really all depends.

[Tominator]

Re: Does and Hunting does part 2

Tough to say.

I've been fortunate enough to hunt with ohiobucks for the last 2 or 3 years where they are intensively concentrating on doe harvest and letting the little bucks walk. In the 2 years I've been there, I've seen bigger bucks and maybe a little less does, but there's still a pile of does running around over there.

[TexasDeerHunter]

Re: Does and Hunting does part 2

It is almost impossible to give a completely accurate answer without doing a survey. There are alot of factors that can determine the amount of doe you need to take , as well as , how long . Ideally you want a 1:1 ratio, but this is close to impossible if you are managing a small piece of property that is not under high fence. My experience has shown that in a wild scenario on free range you can accomplish 1:3 or even 1:2 with dedication to your program. Usually you will see noticeable results in three years , but any program you start will most likely take five to six years to acheive the results desired.

[Guest MarylandQDMA]

Re: Does and Hunting does part 2

I have to agree with all on this one. get in there and keep good data for the deer you see, keep good data for any cams you have set up with this data you can then get a hold of what your B:D ratio is. there is a software program out on the market that helps managers figure what is going on on your properity. it is called buck spy and can be found at www.qdma.com or www.buckspy.com for 29.99. I don't have the program but have looked at the demo and will be getting the program at the end of October.

in any event, you can input your data and it will calulate your B:D ratio, and other important/helpful information.

seeing that there is about 60 acres now under QDM around are place the doe population has come down in the immidate area but they do filter in from the other properitys. we had a B:D at about 1 to 12, six years later we are at 1:2+

Frank

[Texan_Til_I_Die]

Re: Does and Hunting does part 2

[ QUOTE ]

...It seems when you remove them more just show up. Last year our group of shotgun hunters took 21 does out of 23(the other two were bucks 160 plus) out of a two mile sqaure section. This past week we went out there and counted 65 does in a half mile. They just seem to find there way to another place around here and fill the area back up.

[/ QUOTE ]

That's one reason so many people are going to high fences. It's a way to keep unwanted/excess deer out.